I have read several messages by various posters and I was just wondering why there is nowhere which give the posters a chance to state how much experience, the length of time, and what qualifications they have.
I do feel that there may be occasions, especially where there is a difference of opinion, that the dog owner who is seeking advice may tend to take more notice of someone with years of experience of a particular subject than someone with less knowledge albeit for the best intentions.
On medical matters it does appear that there are no vets,I may be wrong, who post here and those who seek advice of this kind could be mislead by well intentioned people.
However the range of questions and answers asked and given do seem to me to be of a high quality and I congratulate those posters.
As this posting is my first although I have followed the forum for a long time
may I wish everybody a Happy New year

happy new year to you too--.when anyone answers a question on the board we can only tell of our experiences of a certain subject, as was the way it happened to us, anyone with a major problem should of course contact there vets straight away, although every vet is not infallable, i know cos i've met some,we can sometimes point someone in the direction of say there breed club who would hopefully be able to help with any advice or quirks belonging to their breed -this is a members board, i would say its a touch like ringing around to see if you're freinds have ever heard of -or seen such and such a condition,its freindly-USUALLY- advice,

A well read relitive newcomer to dog owning may just have the answer to a problem that someone of 60 years experience may have forgotten or not have upto date information on. In the end it is up to the reader to asses the information gained from whatever sorce. As far as health is concerened I think you will find most of us suggest that a vet is seen asap but to offer ideas as to the cause or treatment can surely only be helpful. I've owned dogs for over 45 years and I've learned that you never stop learning, in fact it seems the more you learn the more you need to. I'm always interested in others ideas or experence even if I don't agree with what they say, they must have some reason for what they have said and it is worth consideration. Happy New Year to All lets hope it is a better year than last. JH

Welcome to the forum Bazza :-) Leigh

HI Bazza nice to have you unlurking at last LOL.
I agree with your comments that it could be useful for readers to know how long someone has been into dogs but I must also agree with other posters that length of experience isn't always a good indicator of knowledge. If you haven't come across a subject eg AIHA you cannot realistically comment on it. Not that this stops some folk!!!!! I am aware of some health topics via experiences without the dog scene and feel I can comment on them what I am less happy about is those with little knowledge expounding their thoughts as though written in stone.
It is a difficult path and I can see no definitive solution to the problem of who knows what about what.
Have a good NewYear Bazza and dont go lurking around the garages even though they are warmer than the bikesheds!!!!!!!!

Whats the AIHA? :D

AIHA = Auto Immune Haemolactic Anaemia - I thinks thats spelt right.... it is one of the forms of Auto Immune Disease

Lynn

Thanks for that is it breed specific or a general one?

General :-)

Hi Bazza

I don't think years in dogs or number of dogs really count.

Some people have had dogs from childhood and they just live in the house with them and that's it - other people study them, either dogs in general or a specific breed or a specific part of the the breed so everyones depth of knowledge is different which is what makes this board such a valuable source of knowledge.

If someone asks a question that interests me and I don't know the answer then I would probably go and research it - if it does not interest me or I don't know about it then I tend to ignore it.

Happy New year to all

Christine

HI Bazza, interesting topic; I like Champdogs for the (generally) diverse opinions expressed here, usually in a peaceable fashion :) It is up to the individual as to which way they go, and whose advice they choose to follow - I do get a bit concerned when advice conflicts badly and wonder when this happens, what the outcome will be for the owner or dog in question. I have to say that I personally disagree with giving advice on some topics such as aggression because there can be so very many factors affecting the aggression, and so for this reason I feel it is perhaps best not to give advice for this. (Just my opinion though). I think the trouble is, many who feel strongly about a topic feel they are right and this can come across - many of us are "guilty as charged" on this one.

I also feel some people are better at, say, answering breeding or health questions, some at behavioural or training - few of us know it all :) I would rarely answer a breeding question because I have never bred a litter, and knowing 2 breeders as good friends have picked up on just how complicated and difficult it can get when there are problems.

Lindsay